Boost the profile of your business by getting involved in activities that students enjoy

Engaging activities with Year 7 to 11 students help you build connections.

Employers find these eight activities work the best:

1. Presentations

Students love to hear people talk with enthusiasm about their job or industry. They want to know some fun facts about your work, and what you do on a daily basis.

Your staff also benefits from doing presentations as it helps managerial development.

2. Donations

Sponsor things students do and like, such as sport events or Kapa Haka, and your business will get a boost.

You won't just earn goodwill and publicity from students, but with their parents and the wider community.

3. Co-create resources

Work with teachers or your industry training organisation (ITO) to make informative and engaging resources that students want to use in a lesson.

The resources should show the career pathways in your industry in a way that grabs the attention of the student.

4. Mock job applications and mentoring

School career advisors need employers to do mock interviews and check CVs of students. Students also need mentors to help them understand how to break into your industry.

You’re helping shape the CVs to the style you’d like to see, and you might discover potential talent to develop.

5. Competitions

Develop your own competitions or volunteer to help with competitions like Young Enterprise. Digital native students might solve some of your tech issues!

6. Workplace visits

Students enjoy getting out of school for a visit. It gives them a realistic idea of what your industry does and the different types of roles in one workplace. They also get an idea of how to behave and present themselves for work.

7. Work experience and cadetships

Work experience and cadetships, such as the Work Inspiration programme, are great ways of really seeing how a student works. Not only can you see them do the daily tasks, but you get an insight on how they get on with other team members and how willing they are to learn.

You'll also get the opportunity to shape them into being work ready.

8. Work shadowing

Teachers are often not aware of how they can teach students the skills they need for work. Work shadowing, where a teacher follows a competent worker for a day and observes what they do in the workplace, can really give insight into what skills you need for your workplace.

Students can also benefit from work shadowing, which is great if you have the kind of workplace where it is safer to observe than do activities.

9. Industry events and expos

Industry events and expos are a great way to showcase your business and reach a large number of students at one time.

The events can have a big impact on students, and may lead to them seeking your business out as a future place to work.

10. Work Inspiration

Work Inspiration is an employer-led work exploration programme tailored to suit your work environment and industry. A small group of students spend around three days in your workplace, experiencing the roles and career pathways you have to offer.

Careers New Zealand will support you to develop and deliver the programme.